Black History Month: Charles Harrison
February is Black History Month: a time to remember, honor, and celebrate the many contributions of Black Americans. This week btw takes a closer look at Charles Harrison. Mr. Harrison spent his career as a designer for Sears, Roebuck & Company and was responsible for many of the common items we use every day–from trash […]
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a key leader in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Both his father and his mother’s father were Baptist ministers. When King became a minister, he used his position to fight racial inequality and inspire African Americans. He was a powerful […]
Major League Baseball Recognizes the Negro Leagues’ Achievements
In May 2024, Major League Baseball added the statistics of African American baseball players who played in the Negro Leagues to its official database. Read on to learn why the Negro Leagues were founded and why it is important to recognize the players’ accomplishments. The National Negro League Is Founded During the American Civil […]
Ed Dwight’s Passion for Flight and Art
In 1963, Air Force pilot Ed Dwight hoped to become the first African American in space. Dwight was not chosen, however, to be one of the first U.S. astronauts. But in May, 2024, Dwight rocketed into the record books as the oldest person to travel to space. Love of Flight Ed Dwight grew up […]
Historic Graduate Presents Diploma to Granddaughter
On a June day in 1965, Ronald Yancey became the first African American to graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology (commonly known as Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, Georgia. Yancey returned to the 2024 Georgia Tech graduation ceremony to present his granddaughter, Deanna Yancey, with her diploma. Both earned degrees in electrical engineering. Deanna earned […]
Women’s History Month: Misty Copeland
Every year since 1995, the sitting president of the United States has proclaimed the month of March as Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance chooses the annual theme. The 2024 theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” Women who have taken the lead to work for these values are honored […]
Black History Month: Celebrating Black Filmmakers, Storytellers, and Actors
On February 17, 2024, the National Black Movie Association observed National Black Movie Day (NBMD). The association urged everyone to celebrate by watching Black movies at home or in theaters. Viewers were also encouraged to share their favorite Black films, actors, directors, and screenwriters on social media. National Black Movie Association Agnes Moss founded the […]
Black History Month: Bessie Burke’s Education Legacy
In 1911, Bessie Bruington Burke made history as the first African American teacher in the Los Angeles, California, public school system. Just seven years later, she made history again when she became the school system’s first African American school principal. Top of Her Class Burke was born in Los Angeles in 1891. Several years earlier, […]
Record HBCU Donation Made to Spelman College
A $100 million donation was made to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 18, 2024. It is the largest financial donation given to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The bulk of the record donation, $75 million, is to be used for scholarship endowments. The remaining $25 million will fund programs for public […]
Motel Renovation Highlights Role of A.G. Gaston in the Civil Rights Movement
The renovation of an important building in the American civil rights movement is nearly complete. The A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Alabama is now a part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. The motel served as a safe place for African American travelers who were discriminated against in the American South during the 1950s […]